Four crewmembers had to be rescued after uncontrolled flooding on prawn trawler Freedom II caused the vessel to founder and later sink off the Scottish coast.
The MAIB received 230 reports of flooding of fishing vessels between 2013 and 2022, of which 78 (34%) resulted in the loss of the vessel. The data indicates flooding remains a significant safety issue. Continue reading “Fishing trawler Freedom II sank following engine room flooding”
Transport Malta has released a simplified final report into a starting air explosion during berthing operations aboard CMA CGM Shanghai in Singapore.
What happened
CMA CGM Shanghai arrived just outside its designated discharge port of Singapore in the early hours of 15 March 2025, completing an 11-day voyage from Karachi, Pakistan.
The vessel was expected to remain outside port limits for approximately 50 minutes. During this time, the crew prepared the pilot ladder and completed arrangements for the pilot, who boarded the vessel at 0612 local time. Continue reading “Transport Malta publishes report into explosion aboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai”
An Able Seaman died instantly after steel plates fell and struck him while on board Shaman Wisdom, said a safety investigation report by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.
What happened
On 5 June 2024, at 0800, the Bosun on board Shaman Wisdom instructed the ASD1 and ASD2 to select a suitable steel plate in the Forecastle Store to construct a step for one of the deck stairs. Both the ASD1 and ASD2 were wearing the standard PPE to work on deck, including a safety helmet, coveralls, and safety shoes. Continue reading “Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands”
A passenger died following a fall while 100 others were injured after cruise ship Spirit of Destiny hit heavy weather in its voyage, according to an accident investigation report by UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
What happened
Shortly after 1230 on 4 November 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay. This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel’s propulsion. The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motion continued until the vessel was able to resume its passage the following morning. Over 100 passengers were injured during this period. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England. One of these passengers, Trevor Gilks, later died from his injuries. Continue reading “Passenger died following fall on cruise ship Spirit of Destiny received ‘suboptimal treatment’”
The Marine Safety Investigation Unit of Transport Malta has published a report into the death of a bulker/cargo surveyor after they were trapped during the hatch cover closing process.
What happened
On 24 January 2025, Ocean Century was preparing to load steel Hapo products General at Wharf, Gwangyang, South Korea. The vessel had arrived during the previous evening. Cargo holds were cleaned, and residual cargo collected in drums. Continue reading “Transport Malta concludes investigation into death of bulker/cargo surveyor”
Stern trawler Opportune sank in 2024 due to “rapid and uncontrollable engine room flood” said the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in a final report.
The skipper’s decision-making skills and the crew’s training meant all of Opportune’s eight crew were rescued uninjured from the vessel’s liferafts by coastguard helicopters. Unfortunately, the vessel was not recovered.
Alongside the investigation report, the MAIB released a safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting that on average, over seven fishing vessels are lost every year due to flooding. It also urged fishing vessel owners to have a maintenance plan for their vessel’s seawater pipework to ensure that it is routinely inspected and, if necessary, tested. The saltwater environment is very corrosive, and hot dipped galvanised pipework has a limited life, so replacement should be expected over a 20-year vessel operational life. Continue reading “Uncontrollable engine room flood sank trawler Opportune, says MAIB”
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has concluded an investigation after an electrical cadet died of probable mechanical (positional) asphyxia after trying to exit an access space on board a passenger ship.
On 21 January 2025, an electrical cadet on board Bahamas flagged passenger ship, Grandeur of the Seas, went into an access space to troubleshoot a level transmitter for a bilge water settling tank. He attempted to exit the space but lost his footing on a ladder he placed outside, and became stuck in a suffocating position. Continue reading “Electrical cadet died of asphyxia, BMA investigation concludes”
Owners and operators of beam and scallop trawlers have been urged to inspect their vessels’ quick-release arrangements after a deckhand was fatally injured by chain failure on the Honeybourne III in 2023.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) added that any necessary changes should be made to the equipment or its operation to ensure the safety of crew working on deck. Continue reading “Safety warning issued after deckhand killed by chain failure on Honeybourne III”
A crewmember died after the fishing vessel, Ben Thomas capsize and sank off the Irish coast.
A report into the incident, which took place two years ago, has been released by the Irish Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB), concluding the investigation.
What happened
On the 12 December 2023, at approximately 05.00 hours the fishing vessel Ben Thomas departed Port Oriel, Clogherhead, Co. Louth Continue reading “Investigation into fishing vessel Ben Thomas capsize and fatality”
Heavy weather and an improperly secured cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units led to two fires on board the cargo vessel Genius Star XI – causing $3.8 million in damages, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
What happened
On December 25, 2023, at 0830, while the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was transiting the North Pacific Ocean in heavy weather with a cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system units on board, a fire was discovered in a cargo hold. Continue reading “NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires”
Six crewmembers were forced to abandon ship after prawn trawler Odyssey capsized and sank in the North Sea on 29 October 2024. Its crew were rescued from a liferaft uninjured.
According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the accident occurred after high-capacity deck wash pumps were left running unattended, while the crew recovered the fishing gear, discharging water onto the vessel’s weathertight shelter deck. It is likely that a blocked tonnage valve prevented the water from escaping, resulting in rapid flooding and a catastrophic loss of stability. Continue reading “Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running”
Authorities have concluded the investigation into the 1994 sinking of the MV Estonia citing the failure of the ferry’s bow section as the cause of the incident.
On September 28, 1994, the Estonian-flagged ferry Estonia sank during the regular route from Tallinn to Stockholm.
There were 989 people on board – only 137 survived. 852 people died in the accident and the bodies of 95 drowned people were found. Most of the victims were Swedish (501) and Estonian (285) citizens. Continue reading “MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure”
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